Dear Friends and Supporters, 

As August unfolds, we find ourselves wrapping up our summer groups at Jessica’s House and eagerly looking ahead to the fall. This season of transition brings both new beginnings and cherished reunions as we welcome new volunteers and reconnect with our current team during reorientation.

As we approach August 30th, National Grief Awareness Day, we take this time to reflect on healing and honor those who support individuals in grief. At Jessica’s House, we remain committed to providing compassionate care and resources. Let’s come together this month to raise awareness and support one another.

With gratitude,

Erin Nelson

Founder and Executive Director, Jessica's House

Nurturing Your Spirit: A Mindful Walk in Nature as a Path to Healing

Mindful walking is a gentle, meditative practice that combines the physical act of walking. It offers a space to connect with your surroundings and your inner self. When grieving, it’s common to feel disconnected or overwhelmed. Mindful walking allows you to ground yourself and find peace amidst the turbulence of emotions.

How to Practice Mindful Walking:

1. Choose Your Path: Select a natural setting that resonates with you—whether it’s a park, a forest trail, or a beach. The environment should feel calming and inviting.
2. Set an Intention: Before you start walking, take a moment to set a gentle intention. It could be something as simple as “I am here to find peace.”
3. Focus on Your Senses: As you walk, pay attention to the sensations in your body, the rhythm of your steps, and the sounds around you. Notice the rustling leaves, the scent of pine, or the feel of the breeze on your skin.
4. Stay Present: If your mind starts to wander to past regrets or future anxieties, gently guide your focus back to the present moment. Use your breath as an anchor, inhaling and exhaling deeply.
5. Embrace Your Emotions: Grief can bring a wave of emotions. Allow yourself to feel whatever without judgment.
6. Reflect: After your walk, take a few moments to reflect on the experience.

At Jessica's House, we recognize the importance of National Grief Awareness Day, a day dedicated to acknowledging the pain of those who are grieving. Grief is a universal experience that touches us all, yet it often remains unspoken and misunderstood. This day serves as a reminder that grief is not a linear process, and everyone heals in their own time and way. At Jessica's House, we are committed to providing compassionate support and a safe space for children and their families navigating their grief. On this day, let’s come together to raise awareness, offer support, and ensure no one has to grieve alone.

Jessica's House offers a Hope After Accidental Overdose group for families grieving a loss to accidental overdose. For more information about this group, call our main line at (209) 250-5395 or email us at info@jessicashouse.org.

Materials: Funnel, balloons, paper, pencils/pens, blank or lined paper

Water bead option: water beads, gallon-sized zip-lock bag, a large cup of water

Sand option: sand

Directions:

·        Put water beads into a gallon-sized bag and add water. Pick out a balloon and put it on the end of the funnel. Fill it with the water beads until it is a ball that fits in your hand. Tie a knot at the end of the balloon to finish the stress ball. Alternatively, use sand instead of water beads.

·        Have a conversation about how grief changes us. Discuss the unknown’s surrounding grief.

·        Talk about stress surrounding grief: Examples: More responsibilities, not being able to concentrate at school, friends, or family not understanding how you feel, worrying that something else might happen, etc.

·        Discuss how you’ve grown through grief and what helps you feel better.

·        Write down some ideas or reminders for yourself to help handle stress.

Thank you to Turlock Sports Park for hosting our Family Sports Day! The children had a wonderful time honing their skills in flag football, soccer, and basketball.

Volunteer Reorientaion

We were excited to invite our dedicated volunteers to participate in Reorientation sessions. These sessions are designed to refresh their knowledge, introduce new procedures, and reaffirm our commitment to exceptional support to those we serve. Thank you to our volunteers for all that they do for Jessica's House!

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, click the button below to fill out an application.

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